‘Payday’ loan scam ‘hitting hard’

By MELINDA WILLIAMS

melinda@southwesttimes.com

A Payday Cash Advance loan scam Pulaski Police Department warned about in April is “hitting us hard now,” according to Officer Megan Jennings.

She said the department is receiving complaints about a telephone scam that seeks to entice victims to repay loans that never existed. Anyone receiving a call from a company who claims to be collecting on an unpaid Payday Cash Advance loan should be weary of the call, she said, “because it’s probably a scam.”

Jennings said the callers perpetuating the scam claim they represent a collection agency working on behalf of the loan company. They claim the scam victim is delinquent on a loan and that legal action will be taken if the loan isn’t paid. They typically urge the victim to use a pre-paid credit card to make the payment.

In some cases, she said, callers have threatened the victim.

In an effort to convince the victim the caller is legitimate, a call back number is usually provided. However, Jennings said these numbers are either disconnected or “not reachable.”

If the caller agrees to provide paperwork to authenticate the transaction, she said it usually doesn’t display a company name or telephone number, but does include a fax number.

Those who think they may have fallen victim to this or any other scam should call the police department at 994-8680.